‘Fresh, dressed like a million bucks…’

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted, been meaning too, but something always gets in the way. I have a lot of saved posts that never quite got published (I will post them up soon somehow, I promise). But there is definitely something in the air that has bought me out of hibernation – it seems like old school urban fashion is having a bit of moment of late. Two main things from both sides of the pond which have got me thinking this way… are, number one: The much anticipated upcoming release of new US documentary, Fresh (which has already been making waves at festivals such as Sundance), which chronicles the history of hip-hop/urban fashion ‘and its rise from southern cotton plantations to the gangs of 1970s in the South Bronx, to corporate America, and everywhere in-between.’

The film features commentary from notable hip hop and fashion industry names like Kanye West, Diddy, Nas (whose brand Mass Appeal is one of the producers of the doc), Pharrell, Andre Leon Talley, Big Daddy Kane, Kid N Play and Karl Kani.

Expect to see the likes of street fashion legends Cross Colours (my personal favourite), the aforementioned Karl Kani, Ecko, as well as others such as Mecca and FUBU, featured, as well as high end brands Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger. For a long time no one was sure if that whole Hilfiger ‘not wanting black people to wear his clothes’ thing was a urban myth or not, but I’ve since seen interviews where the man himself says it wasn’t true… So I guess it was a myth.

The second big thing that’s got me all excited about nostalgia and fashion recently is a new photography exhibition I saw advertised on Instagram called ‘Ruffnecks, Rudeboys & Rollups - A Unique Journey of London Streetwear from 1989-2001‘. This is a unique showcase which celebrates the influential era of 90s streetwear, featuring both professional and amateur photography.

So for all those who remember when the likes of Chipie, Sonetti, C17, Chevignon, Replay and Pepe and Naf Naf puffa jackets were the British urban streetwear of choice, this one is definitely for you!